Given the dip in temperature and frosty mornings I like to start the car for a few minutes before I leave. In my E91 I'd start the car, leave the key in the ignition and lock with the metal removable key.

In my F30, with comfort access, I start the car, try and lock it from the outside whilst the key is inside - this doesnt work.

So, I take the key with me and try and lock (car is still running) however this doesnt work.

Seems like the only option is to leave car running and take key in with me. I thought there would be no way that you could drive the car without the key being in the car but to my amazement I tried and was able to put it into Drive and pull off - ok just a few metres but nevertheless I found this to a serious flaw, does it eventually cut out?

I opt for a valet parking once in a mall and I forgot to give the key to the parking guy. He went on driving my car into the basement car park of a mall and park in in the valet section of the carpark basement. Distance is about a few hundred meters and I am amazed that the guy can drove off and park my car. But once he parked the car, switch the engine off, he couldnt start the car. I knew this when I pick up my car and the valet service informed me that I forgot to give them my car keys and they need it to start the car. Not sure if its a flaw but I am just amazed......

My understanding is - if the engine is running and the keyfob moves outside the range detectable by the car, you will get a warning on the dash however the engine will continue to run (believe this is actually a safety feature). If you then stop the engine with the button, you cannot restart it until the keyfob is in range again.

What I'm not sure of is what happens if the keyfob is out of range and ASS stops the engine. Does it restart in those circumstances?

My experience, when my dad visited and I was showing him the car, was that Drive refused to engage and the warning flashed up about the key being absent. The engine continued to run but the car steadfastly refused to engage any gears.

So I tested this out a little further, started the car as normal, went into the house and left the key inside.

Drove off and no warning noises - not sure I like this "feature"!

The warning message dismisses itself after a few seconds so it probably appeared as you were taking the key into the house & had gone by the time you returned.

I tried it...

- Started car as normal, backed out of garage, opened door, put keyfob on shelf in garage.
- As soon as I got in the car and closed the door (door open message goes away), got a 'bong' and this on the black panel display...
as well as this on iDrive...

...both messages disappeared after about 4-5 seconds. I was still able to select 'D' and drive off.
- Drove the car about 50 yds up the road, pulled over and switched the engine off.
- Tried to start it - nothing, just got this...

- Tried a couple more times and I then got a message asking me to hold the keyfob up to the steering column.

I think I also read that you're able to restart the car within 10 seconds of the engine being turned off, even if the key is outside the vehicle (e.g. if you get out of the car, someone in the passenger seat could quickly jump over to the driver's seat, lock the doors and drive off in the car! I wonder if this is actually true? Could be a potential nightmare for test drives, if so, as I doubt all the dealers will realise this...

Tried another little experiment - keyfob only had to be about 5-6ft away from the driver's door for iDrive to come up with the 'No remote' warning. However... I was still able to shift from Park to D with the keyfob out of range.

If the engine cut out as the keyfob goes out of range, could be disastrous. Imagine - you drop off your partner who has the key in their pocket, pull out into busy traffic, engine cuts out...

i know this is slightly off topic but i always wondered about the park button. what if you accidentally hit it while in motion???? i would think it has a safety but has anyone confirmed? i always think about it with my hand on that shifter.

i know this is slightly off topic but i always wondered about the park button. what if you accidentally hit it while in motion???? i would think it has a safety but has anyone confirmed? i always think about it with my hand on that shifter.

Tried another little experiment - keyfob only had to be about 5-6ft away from the driver's door for iDrive to come up with the 'No remote' warning. However... I was still able to shift from Park to D with the keyfob out of range.

If the engine cut out as the keyfob goes out of range, could be disastrous. Imagine - you drop off your partner who has the key in their pocket, pull out into busy traffic, engine cuts out...

I was more concerned about the tea leaf walking past when my car is warming up who then drives off! Saying that, if BMW had a "kill" option that would do the job!!!!!

I was more concerned about the tea leaf walking past when my car is warming up who then drives off! Saying that, if BMW had a "kill" option that would do the job!!!!!

How about a quick call to BMW Assist and then when the car is next stationary they remotely cut the engine, activate the hazard flashers and sound the alarm and notify the police of its location! On the practical side I guess the main issue would be liability - it could still cause an accident of some sort, e.g. the vehicle is stranded in the middle of a busy junction where the thief was making a turn. I'd wager an insurance company wouldn't cover any loss arising from the remote shutting down of your engine